Nigerian Student Interest in the US Falls by 50% Amid Travel Ban and Visa Restrictions

Interest among Nigerian students studying in the US has dropped sharply, with new data showing a more than 50% decline in Nigerian student interest in US universities following the expansion of the US travel ban on international students under the Trump administration. The development marks a significant shift in international student mobility trends, as Nigerian students increasingly look beyond the United States for higher education opportunities.

According to student search interest data from Keystone Education Group, searches related to studying in the US from Nigeria fell dramatically immediately after the announcement of expanded US study visa restrictions in December 2025. Search levels are now less than half of what they were during a peak period in August 2025, signalling a steep decline in confidence around the Nigerian student visa US pathway.

US Travel Ban to Impact Nigerian Student Mobility

The decline follows the US government’s decision on December 16, 2025, to expand its US immigration policy 2025 travel ban to nearly 40 countries, including Nigeria. As a result, Nigerian citizens, who previously formed one of America’s largest African source markets, are now barred from obtaining US study visas, effectively closing off a long-standing education route.

“This is no longer about navigating delays or visa backlogs,” said Mark Bennett, Vice President of Research & Insight at Keystone. “For Nigerian students, there is now no pathway at all, and audiences are responding very quickly to US policy announcements.”

The ban has intensified concerns around US visa confidence, with Keystone survey data showing the proportion of students reporting low confidence in US visa and entry requirements rising from 14% to 21% after the announcement. This reflects broader worries about US immigration policy and education, particularly among African students.

European Destinations See Uptick in Nigerian Student Demand

While the US student visa ban for Nigeria has sharply reduced Nigerian interest in American universities, it has not diminished the desire to study abroad. Instead, students are redirecting demand toward alternative destinations, highlighting a broader global student mobility shift.

European countries have benefited the most. France study visas for Nigerian students saw a 40% surge in interest, while Italy higher education for international students recorded a 33% increase. Meanwhile, interest in Australia’s international student policy grew by 21%, and China scholarships for African students saw a 17% boost.

“This doesn’t mean Nigerian students are abandoning international education,” Bennett noted. “They’re simply adapting to changing international student visa restrictions and exploring more welcoming destinations.”

Impact on US Universities and International Recruitment

Nigeria has historically been one of the top contributors to US higher education international enrolment, particularly at the graduate and STEM levels. The sudden exclusion of Nigerian students presents new international student recruitment challenges for US universities already grappling with declining commencements and policy uncertainty.

Education consultants warn that the effects will extend beyond Nigeria. Speaking shortly after the announcement, Nigerian education consultancy founder Bimpe Femi-Oyewo described the policy as “incredibly destabilising” for both students and institutions.

“Previously, the challenge was long wait times,” she said. “Now, there is no route at all. We are actively encouraging students to consider Nigerian students in Europe and Canada study pathways instead.”

Wider Implications for Global Education Markets

The ripple effects of the US travel ban on international students are being felt globally, contributing to America’s growing reputation as an unwelcoming study destination. Analysts note that such policies risk accelerating international student enrolment decline in the US while strengthening competition from Europe, Asia, and Australia.

This shift underscores changing study abroad demand trends, as students increasingly prioritize visa certainty, post-study work opportunities, and stable immigration systems when choosing destinations.

As education policy impacts student migration, institutions worldwide are reassessing recruitment strategies, diversifying source markets, and positioning themselves to capture displaced demand from traditionally US-bound students.

A Turning Point for Nigerian Students Studying Abroad

For Nigerian students, the situation marks a turning point in international education decision-making. With US visa restrictions effectively closing doors, students are broadening their horizons and redefining traditional destination hierarchies.

As global competition for talent intensifies, experts suggest that unless US policy shifts, the decline in Nigerian students studying in the US may become a long-term trend, reshaping not only Nigerian outbound mobility but the wider global education market.